On September 16, 2022, Junior Sergeant of the Civil Protection Service Illia Akhmethariiev was killed in Bakhmut, Donetsk region.
The rescuer was clearing the rubble of a five-story residential building that had been hit by a Russian airstrike. During the operation, the occupiers shelled the building again. A shell struck the roof, causing the structure to collapse. Illia Akhmethariiev was buried under the debris and sustained injuries incompatible with life.
"The large family of Donetsk region rescuers expresses sincere condolences to the family of the fallen hero and shares in the immeasurable pain of his loss," his colleagues wrote.
Illia Akhmethariiev was 32 years old. He was passionate about sports and fishing. He played for the futsal club “Bakhmut-Agro” and participated in various competitions. In 2021, he took second place in the “Feeder OctoberFest 2021” tournament, catching a 3.9 kg fish in the Siverskyi Donets River.
Illia is survived by his beloved girlfriend, who was pregnant at the time of his death, and his mother.
At 9:00 a.m., the nationwide moment of silence is observed. The Donetsk Regional Military Administration and the Heroes Memorial platform honor the residents of Donetsk region who were killed by Russian forces.